Understanding the Scholarship Process

I want to apply for Scholarship, but am not sure if I will qualify… How does the application process work?
We know how much this opportunity means to your family, and want to assure you that the scholarship committee carefully considers many factors when reviewing applications. When you submit your application, it is processed by a third-party company specializing in financial aid. They assess income, assets, expenses, and liabilities to determine what is considered Income Available for Tuition. If their calculations show available income beyond the cost of the program, the system may determine that a family does not qualify based on financial need alone.

However, we recognize that numbers don’t always tell the full story. That’s why the Scholarship Committee carefully reviews any extenuating circumstances that may not be reflected in the data. We also consider additional funding sources, such as grants from One Happy Camper, synagogue funds, and access to the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and Universal Preschool Program (UPK) to help support families whenever possible. Unfortunately, our scholarship fund is limited, and each year, the requests exceed the amount we are able to award. This makes the process incredibly difficult, as we want to support as many families as we can. While we cannot predict what future years will bring, please know that we are always striving to raise as much funding as possible to assist families like yours.

What if I do not qualify? Is there an appeal process?
We understand that life is ever-changing, and while we strive to make the best decisions the first time, we also recognize that circumstances can shift. Whenever possible, we do our best to offer families a second review of their application through our appeal process. If funding allows, we welcome appeals that include any new or updated information that may not have been available during the initial application process. In cases where additional funds are available, the Scholarship Committee will thoughtfully reconsider the appeal with the new details provided.

However, there are some years when, unfortunately, funding is fully allocated after the initial review. In those instances, we regret that we are unable to accept appeals. Unfortunately, we are unable to refund the scholarship application fee in any case, since it goes to the third-party FAST system. We truly appreciate your understanding and encourage families to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our goal is always to support our community in the best way we can.

How much support can I expect if I qualify?
Because the programs eligible for Scholarship Funding vary widely in cost, we do not use a fixed scale for assistance. Instead, we carefully review each application individually, considering the recommended award, a family’s financial need, and our available funding. Additionally, we strive to support as many families as possible, which means we must also take into account the total number of applicants to ensure fair distribution of funds.

What if I need to cancel my child’s registration due to Financial Hardship?
We understand that financial circumstances can change, and we want to support families as best we can. If you need to withdraw from a program due to financial reasons resulting from the Scholarship Committee’s decision, you will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the non-refundable deposit and registration fee, which were outlined at the time of registration.